Friendship is what gets you through the bad times and helps you enjoy the good times. ~ Kate
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2012 © All rights reserved
A ЂώζЅŧ of Fate ♪ Three
"That's all for today," Mr. Lee announced our dismissal for the day. He decided to give us a day off since we did extremely well for the One Direction's performance last week and he was so proud of us.
It seemed like a dream - all these happenings playing for 1D and actually having the five of them in our band room singing. I stared at the spot where the five of them had stood upon exactly a week ago. It wasn't as if I had turned into their fan or something but I missed their chattering and
playfulness when they teased each other.
"Unbelievable right?" Stuart asked as he caught the position of my gaze.
"Ya," I answered softly. Who would have thought - Thornyard High school band actually played for One Direction. We were nobody.
Mom had been so excited to hear that I was performing on TV that she had practically 'forced' all her colleagues to watch me. To my surprise, I actually appeared on screen for more than thirty seconds. I seemed to have become a star overnight as people in school started greeting me - not that
I knew them anyway.
Val's highly ecstatically spirit had yet to calm down after I managed to get her picture with the guys. She would go on and on about how their touch was like and how it was like to in such close proximity with the guys. Of course, I didn't mention that I got a hug from each of the guys, except
Zayn. She would probably hate me for that.
I hadn't received many texts from them except Zayn and Harry occasionally. Harry's messages were more of the fun type where he updated their activities and the jokes they shared, while Zayn's messages were quieter and more subtle - and in a way, more personal like 'Have you taken your
dinner?', 'How's school?' and 'What did you do for your weekend?'.
My life went on as usual - school, homework, band practices, and church. Joel had left for America last weekend and I was feeling a little lonely during band practices. I would be retiring from band soon, as well since graduation was in another month's time. Val was getting frantic about her
dance partner. Nobody had asked me yet, and anyway I was having a good mind to skip it so it didn't matter for me.
"Jo?" Mr. Brown's voice tore me away from my thoughts.
I looked up, "Yes Mr. Brown?"
"There's a man requesting to see you..." He indicated outside.
"Huh?" I was puzzled.
Dropping my sticks on the rack, I headed outside.
A well-dressed man in his late twenties stood outside the band room, pacing
up and down. He stopped when he saw me.
"Miss Jo Andrews?"
I nodded and he led us to an empty table before prompting for me to sit.
He pushed his name card across the table into my hands, "My name is Jenson Barlow. And I'm one of the managers for One Direction. I must apologise for this abrupt visit."
I took a glance at the card to verify his identity. "How can I help you, Mr. Barlow?" I asked him politely.
"Before I forget," he said abruptly and began digging into his briefcase. "This is a gift from the boys."
It was a CD on which the cover was written, 'To Jo, specially for you! From us' and it was signed with all five signatures.
"What's this?" I looked at him, puzzled.
"You can watch it when you get home," he winked. "I understand it's meant to be a surprise."
"Okay," I mumbled, putting the CD aside.
I turned my gaze back onto this well-dressed man and waited for him to speak further.
"I came under the strong recommendation of the boys," he continued.
I had a bad feeling...
"I am under the impression that you are an excellent drummer," he beamed.
I shook my head immediately, "I'm just an average...”
He cut me off, "I saw you play during the performance. And I must say I do agree with them to a certain extent."
To a certain extent?
"You must be wondering why I'm here today," he continued. "Other than bringing the cd of course." His eyes trailed to the cd at the side.
"We are actually looking for a drummer. For the band. Our current drummer's contract is up and he is unable to continue due to personal commitments."
"Uh huh..." I don't think I liked where this was leading to.
"So, are you interested to take up the position?" He looked at me keenly.
"Huh?" Even though I must say I should have expected that question, I was still surprised. "Me?" I gulped.
"That's right. The boys like you. Besides being technically good, it is important to strike chemistry with each other especially you would be travelling so often together."
Did I hear travelling?
"Travelling..?" I stammered.
"That's right," he looked at me in disbelief. "The boys have to do shows around UK and US so there's travelling. Of course, you are not required at all their shows but a majority of it."
I sat there, tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. What could I say? I never had intention to pursue a career in music least to say, drums. Wait, I haven't even gone to college! I was looking forward to college – doing sociology and Geography, and joining the college band!
He saw me dumbfounded, and he chuckled lightly. "Must be too overwhelming for you. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."
Getting no response from me, he asked, "So what's your decision?"
It was too sudden! I needed time to digest this information. I wanted to discuss with Mom first.
"Eh... I need to think about it..."
He must have expected that I would jump at the opportunity for he frowned, "Is there any concerns?"
"Well..." I uttered. "I'm not sure if I'm up to it..."
He smiled, "You just need to practice. I'm sure it'll work out fine," he assured.
"Well..." I continued. "I was looking forward to college..."
"College?" He frowned, repeating the alien word as if it was foreign to him. "What about college?"
"I was planning for college actually," I told him. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up my college life for a drummer's life..."
"Hmm..." He appeared to study the issue for the first time. "Well..." He paused. "Maybe we can work around it... It's not that you need to play every time. There are bound to be months or weeks or days that the boys are busy with other stuff... Like recording new albums or filming MTVs or doing
interviews... Hmm... Maybe I can work that out."
"I need to think about it," I told him firmly.
"Well, if you insist..." He weaved his hand through his hair. "When can you give me a reply?"
"When do I need to reply you?" I shot the question back at him.
"How about in two weeks' time?"
"Okay..." I agreed.
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“So, Mom,” I told my mom about Mr. Barlow’s visit in the afternoon. “What do you think?”
After arranging the plates neatly on the drying tray, she joined me at the dining table after removing her apron.
“Would you like to play for them?” she asked softly.
“I don’t know...” I shook my head. I don’t know what I want exactly.
“What’s your dream, Jo? What have you been saying you wanted to do?”
My dream? What was my dream? What have I been dreaming about? I’ve dreamt of so many things! I wanted to study music; I wanted to be an anthropologist; I wanted to be a missionary; I wanted... But what did I want exactly?
“I don’t know Mom,” I sighed in despair. “I mean, it’s an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but I’m really worried what if I regret it in the future? I really should get a college degree – at least I can find a proper job next time.”
“Didn’t you say he’s considering to make things work? About mixing your college and the performances?”
I nodded, “That’s true... but... who knows... maybe I’ll end up having to give up college?”
“Then, it will depend on your perseverance and determination. How much do you desire it,” she shrugged.
“But I will have to keep travelling...” I added.
She smiled as she patted my head, “Don’t worry about me. I will be fine.”
“But Mom...”
“I am a grown-up. You should worry more for yourself,” she chuckled.
I sighed.
“So,” she teased. “How are the guys? Cute?”
“Mom!”
“What’s wrong?” Her eyes filled with amusement. “Aren’t you interested in guys? Don’t tell me you’re a lesbian!” Her face scrounged into fake shock.
“Of course not!” I retorted. “Just that... I am not interested in them...”
She laughed, “Well, you’ll find your Mr. Right one day.”
I returned her a wide smile.
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I retreated back to my room and switched on my lap top. Curiosity was overtaking me. I needed to see what that CD was about.
I smiled at the writing on the CD and wondered whose writing it was. Since I have never seen their writing before, it was difficult to guess – totally can’t guess at all.
I inserted the CD into the driver and waited for it to play.
“Hi Jo! SURPRISE!” The five of them waved back at me cheerfully as they stood before the camera.
“On the first day we met you, minus the day at the autograph session,” Louis continued. “We were really impressed by you especially when you started playing that drum.”
“Yeah!” Harry injected. “Totally awesome.”
Louis continued, “Then we realised you were different. Unless the other girls who sprang forward to greet, you seemed to be cold and indifferent.”
“But as we get to know you,” Liam spoke up next. “We realised you were actually a great person. You saw us as five normal guys – not One Direction. You treated us sincerely and taught us how to play the drums.”
Zayn continued, “Even though you may not know it, your individuality stood out like a sore thumb and...”
“That’s what makes you beautiful in our eyes!” The five of them chorused.
I couldn’t help feeling touched. Nobody (okay, except my mom) had ever called me beautiful. Since I’ve never dated seriously before, no guy ever said that to me. And now, I have five gorgeous guys before me, telling me that. I half suspected that they were trying to comfort me.
“And,” Zayn continued. “This video is specially for you.”
“Yeah,” Louis laid his arm over Zayn’s shoulder. “Zayn was the one who thought of it on the first day we saw you. And we agreed it was a great idea!”
“Hope you like it,” Zayn added shyly.
The screen blanked and a familiar music started playing. What Makes You Beautiful.
You’re insecure
Don’t know what for
It showed them entering the school past the crowd of girls bawling at the gate. When it came to You’re turning heads when you walk through the do-o-or, the video showed me walking through the door into the band and the five of them did an action of turning to look at me deliberately which caused me to laugh.
The song went with images of me playing the drums, totally engrossed in my playing and not giving a glance in their direction while they sang their hearts out.
I must admit I was really impressed. The person who put the video together was a genius. No wonder there was so much filming going on! So, this was what was about! It was ingenious.
Mom came into the room to see what I was laughing about.
“They did this for you?” she asked in bewilderment.
I nodded, “I guess so...”
“Within the five days?”
“Apparently ...” I shrugged.
“Wow...” she was equally impressed. “But why?”
“Why?” I looked at her questioningly.
“I mean you don’t really know them or they you... why go through all these efforts?”
“Well...” That got me. I seriously had no idea.
“They practically stalked you?”
They caught small glimpses of me here and there – a small smile when I talked to them; a saddened expression when I looked at Joel but it fitted well into the lyrics of the song.
“This guy is cute,” Mom gushed. “He looks like Rupert Grint.”
“It’s the hair...” I laughed. I took a closer look. True enough, Harry did remind me of Rupert Grint.
You don’t know oh oh
You don’t know you’re beautiful oh oh
You don’t know you’re beautiful oh oh
That’s what makes you beautiful
“But I must say I agree with the lyrics,” Mom patted my head and embraced me into a hug. “You don’t know how beautiful you are.”
“Mom!” I glared at her.
“Your personality makes you beautiful,” she smiled.
“That’s because I take after you,” I smiled back at her.
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I opened a Whatsapp chat room and added the five guys.
Hi guys! Thanks for the video. It was ingenious!
Louis : You saw it already? You like it?
Harry : How you find it?
Loved it. Thanks Zayn for that idea!
Zayn : You’re welcome J
How are you guys?
Harry : Still surviving. We had a long day.
Niall : Hi! You saw the video!
Where’s Liam?
Niall : In the shower.
Harry : Tomorrow’s going to be another long day L
Sleep soon then.
Zayn : So, you’ve met with Jenson...?
Ya
Harry : So... ?
Who suggested it?
Louis : It was a mutual agreement.
Niall : Yah, Jo. Come. Join us.
Harry : We’ll love to have you onboard.
I don’t know... I need to think about it.
Zayn : What’s worrying you?
I don’t know... everything?
Louis : I heard Jenson mentioned about college...
Niall : I’m sure that can be arranged!
Liam : Hi!
Hi Liam! How was your shower?
Liam : Good! I’m naked now.
!!! I don’t need to know that!
Liam : Ha ha ha
Harry : I’m coming over to see you, Liam.
Liam : NOOOO!!
Niall : I’ve locked the door.
Niall’s sharing room with Liam?
Niall : Yupz
Harry : So when can we know your decision?
I will answer in two weeks’ time.
Louis : Time to sleep. Nite
I’m going off too. Catch up later~